BUSCH GARDENS RESCUES AMERICAN BALD EAGLE ON FOURTH OF JULY

BUSCH GARDENS RESCUES AMERICAN BALD EAGLE ON FOURTH OF JULY

7/7/2014 12:00:00 AM

TAMPA, Fla. – Busch Gardens® Tampa rescued a southern American Bald Eagle this past Friday, the Fourth of July. The park’s veterinary staff performed surgery this morning on the bald eagle at the park’s state-of-the-art Animal Care Center. The eagle was found on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, unable to fly.

Military police, along with a local animal rehabilitator, assisted in the rescue. Upon arrival at the park, Busch Gardens’ veterinary staff assessed the bird and discovered a wing injury due to broken metacarpal bones. The team wrapped the break in red, white and blue bandage tape to support it until surgery was performed. Bald eagles are protected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bald eagle, whose gender is unknown, will stay under the close watch of Busch Gardens’ animal care staff for the next 4-6 weeks and then be moved to a rehabilitation facility.